Integrated multi-purpose, water impervious, electrical signal assembly



1961 R. s. MURDOCK 3,009,030

INTEGRATED MULTI-PURPOSE, WATER IMPERVIOUS, ELECTRICAL SIGNAL ASSEMBLY Filed April 22, 1960 INVENTOR.

RICHARD S. MURDOCK AGENT Sttes The present invention relates to an electrical signaling assembly and more particularly relates to a device useful in connection with researching problems in experimental psychology.

One of the foremost problems confronting designers of space vehicles concerns the measurement of the motor capabilities of living occupants while undergoing gravitational forces varying from zero to many times the gravitational force exerted by the planet earth. At the present time considerable human eifort and material resources are being expended in the search for information which will help solve the problems confronting the pioneers in the building of space vehicles so that there will be only minimal risk to the lives of occupants in the first manned space vehicles.

More particularly, one of the problems that is sought to be solved is how will a human being react under influence of substantially -30 gravity forces. Accordingly, in many cases when undergoing tests of gravitational acceleration forces, the human being is unable to communicate in a normal manner and that the vocal cords and the voice organs are rendered substantially inoperative and the human guinea pig is unable to talk. Accordingly, it is necessary to find some other means of communication. The hands or fingers, feet or toes of the human being, for example, may be used to transmit signals. The signaling device must be of such a nature that it can be operated under water and therefore must be water impervious. Also, it is necessary that the signaling device be fastened in such a position relative to the human hand or foot that it is impossible for the relative positions of the signaling device and the hand or foot be lost. One of the basic requirements is that the switch be operated without assistance from the eyes and be of such a simple configuration that it can be easily operated by only one hand or foot. Furthermore, the switch must be designed to allow the subject to communicate in response to stimuli as is common in the field of psychological testing without the possibility arising that communication be discontinued or cut off.

Accordingly, it is contemplated that the electrical signaling device be secured as to a human hand so that the fingers of the hand can transmit messages by merely pressing and operating switches either singly or in combination.-

One of the objects of the invention, therefore, is the provision of a novel electrical signaling device comprising one or more switches which are digit operated by an operator, the device being adapted to be connected to the operator so that the relative position of the device and the digit is fixed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel switch signaling assembly as set forth in the preceding object in which means are provided so that the digits rest naturally and comfortably over switch levers and connecting means are provided so that no matter how the person relaxes or moves the digits, the digits remain in signaling position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel electrical signaling device, as set forth in the preceding objects, in which the switch device is water impervious and can be operated without the aid of the operators eyes.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of partitions or separators between the switches to make it substantially impossible for the operator to operate a switch other than the one upon which the corresponding digit naturally rests. The use of separators is considered advantageous because, while the human body is undergoing stimuli or extreme physical stresses, the mind may be partially blacked out, and the body may be undergoing a certain amount of contortions. Accordingly, it is necessary that the operators hand or foot be strapped in position relative to the switch device so that under no circumstances will the operator press the wrong switch. The transmission of false intelligence may endanger the operators life and/or abort the test that is being conducted. These tests are expensive and time consuming and the risk to human life must be maintained at a minimum.

The invention further resides in certain novel features of construction, combinations, and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains from the following description of the present preferred embodiment thereof described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters represent corresponding par-ts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a device embodying the invention with parts of arm straps being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with a finger partially in section to show a switch molded therein; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic electrical diagram of the switch circuit which forms a part of the invention.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in the drawings and hereinafter described in detail, but is capable of being otherwise embodied and practiced or carried out in various ways. It is to be further understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and there is no intention to herein limit the invention beyond the requirements of the prior art.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention is shown embodied in an electrical signaling device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. Although it is to be understood that the device 10' can be embodied to be operated by the fingers and thumbs of the hands as well as by the toes of the feet of the operator, the device 10, FIGS. 1 and 2, is embodied for use by the left hand of the operator solely for illustrating and describing a preferred form of the invention.

More particularly, the assembly 10 comprises a hand and arm plate 11 having a specially formed guard plate 12 disposed parallel thereto and beneath the same for sandwiching three piano keyboard switch levers or fingers 13, 14 and 15 therebetween. A plurality of fasteners such as bolts 16 and nuts 17, are used to secure the hand plate and guard plates 11 and 12, respectively, together with the switch fingers 13, 14 and 15 compressed therebetween. The guard plate 12 has a portion 12a disposed beneath the hand or palm portion of the arm plate 11 and a portion 12b extending forwardly of the leading edge of the plate 11. Fastened to the guard plate 12 is a U-shaped or channel shaped finger separator or partition 18 to which encloses the periphery of the finger 14' and thereby isolates the middle finger 14 from fingers 13 and 15. The sides or legs 18a of the channel 18, as seen in FIG. 1, adequately partition the finger 14 from the fingers 13 and 15. Furthermore, to avoid any possibility of an operators finger becoming displaced, the channel 18 is is of such a height as to rise a distance almost equivalent to the thickness of the finger 14 above the level of the fingers 13, 14 and 15, as best seen in FIG. 2.

The forward portion 12b of the guard plate 12, which may be used to support the assembly upon a surface, not shown, is bent downwardly at an angle of approximately fifteen degrees for permitting the downwardly deflection of the fingers 13, 14 and to operate the switches. Each of the legs 18a of the U-shaped separator 18 is cut into the shape of a parallel trapezoid with the longest side of the legs 18a being connected to the upper surface of the guard plate portion 12b. The base portion of the separator 18 is in juxtaposition with the leading edge of the guard plate 12.

Preferably, there are bolts or screws 16 retaining the various parts in assembled relationship. Two of the screws 16 are disposed in the intermediate, palm portion of the hand plate 11 and the rear end of the guard plate 12 on either side of the cable 26. Two more screws 16 are disposed between fingers 13 and 14, and fingers 14 and 15, at the b ight portions thereof in the forwardmost end of the hand plate 11 and centrally of the guard plate 12 just behind the portion 12b.

Additionally, the arm or wrist straps 22 and 23 are passed under the cable 26 so as to bias the cable 26 upwardly against the bottomside of the hand plate 11.

The hand plate 11 is substantially of rectangular shape but with a recess in edge 11a extending from the heel of the hand or palm portion back along the outer wrist or forearm portion of the plate 11 to reduce the weight and bulkiness of the hand plate 11. The forearm or wrist portion of the hand plate 11 is provided with two pairs of parallel longitudinally extending slots 20, 21 for the accommodation of transverse straps 22 and 23 therethrough, respectively. The straps 22 and 23 are broken away and do not show the buckles or fasteners which are ordinarily attached to the ends of the straps. The straps 22 and 23 are so positioned as to permit the operators wrist or forearm to be strapped to the hand plate 11 so that the device 10 may be considered to characterize a mitt or a mitten.

Referring to FIG. 3, the fingers 13, 14 and 15 are respectively provided with switch contacts 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, and 15a, 1512 so that when the fingers 16, 14 and 15 are depressed downwardly, FIG. 2, the contacts are respectively closed and, accordingly, the respective circuits are closed or grounded. A signal is transmitted upon the closure of either one or a combination of the switches 13, 14 and 15. As best seen in FIG. 3, the terminals 13c, 14c, 150 may be connected to a power source via a signal panel or a decoding device, not shown, for signaling and communicating With an observer. The switches 13, 1'4 and 15 may be pressed in various combinations, like keys of a piano keyboard. The number of combinations possible in factorial 3. Accordingly, six different combinations are possible. It is anticipated that the number of finger switches may be varied as desired.

An additional feature of the invention resides in the construction of the fingers 13, 14 and 15. The switch contacts 13a, b, 14a, b, and 15a, b are respectively embedded i-n pliable and flexible rubber or a suitable elastomer. The construction of each of the fingers 13, 14 and 15 is identical so that only one need be described. For example, FIG. 2, the contacts 15a, 15b extend into an elongated opening 25 and are separated when the finger 15 is relaxed and is substantially rectilinear. The fingers 13, 14 and 15 are molded into a single unit at the rearwardmost ends thereof so that the wires connecting the contacts 130 and 12, 14a and b, and 15a and b with the terminals 130, 14c, 150, respectively, extend through an insulated cable or conduit 26 to the rear of the assembly 10, FIGS. 1 and 2.

While one specific embodiment made in accordance with the invention has been shown and described, it is understood that the invention is susceptible of many changes and modifications, as known to persons skilled in the art, and is intended to cover all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A signaling mitt adapted to be fastened to a limb of a human operator and comprising, an elongated plate, a plurality of parallel deflectable and elongated fingers extending beyond one end of said elongated plate, guard plate means extending rearwardly beneath said elongated plate from the tips of said fingers, said deflectable fingers being sandwiched between said elongated plate and said guard plate means, fastener means securing said guard plate means and said fingers and said elongated plate together, said guard plate means having a deflected forward portion extending away from said fingers at an angle to said fingers suflicient to allow each of said fingers to be deflected toward said forward portion of said guard plate means, said guard plate means having a rearwardly extending portion disposed parallel to said elongated plate, electrical switch means enclosed and molded within each of said fingers, said switch means being operable upon the deflection of a corresponding one of said fingers, each of said switch means being adapted to be electrically connected in parallel to a power source, cable means extending the length of said elongated plate and integrally connected to each of said fingers, means forming longitudinally extending parallel slots in the rear end of said elongated plate, and transverse strap means extending through said slots and beneath said elongated plate and for the purpose of fastening the device in place on a limb of the operator.

2. A signaling mitt adapted to be fastened to a limb of a human operator and comprising, an elongated plate, a plurality of parallel deflectable and elongated fingers extending beyond one end of said elongated plate, guard plate means extending from the tips of said fingers rearwardly beneath said elongated plate, said deflectable fingers being sandwiched between said elongated plate and said guard plate means, means securing said guard plate means and said fingers and said elongated plate together, said guard plate means having a deflected forward portion extending away from said fingers and at an angle to said fingers suflicient to permit each of said fingers to be deflected toward said forward portion of said guard plate means, said guard plate means having a rearwardly extending portion disposed parallel to said elongated plate, electrical switch means enclosed and molded within each of said fingers, said switch means being operable upon the deflection of the corresponding one of said fingers, each of said switch means being adapted to be electrically connected in parallel to a power source, and cable means extending the length of said elongated plate and integrally connected to each of said fingers.

3. A signaling mitt adapted to be fastened to a limb of a human operator comprising, an elongated plate, a plurality of parallel deflectable and elongated fingers extending beyond one end of said elongated plate, guard plate means extending from the tips of said fingers rearwardly beneath said elongated plate, said deflectable fingers being sandwiched between said elongated plate and said guard plate means, fastener means securing said guard plate means and said elongated plate together, said guard plate means having a deflected forward portion extending away from said fingers and at an angle to said fingers sufiicient to permit each of said fingers to be deflected toward said forward portion of said guard plate means, said guard plate means having a rearward portion disposed parallel to said elongated plate, electrical switch means hermetically sealed within each of said fingers, and said switch means being operable upon the deflection of the corresponding one of said fingers.

4. A signaling mitt adapted to be fastened to a limb of human operator, comprising, an elongated plate, a plurality of parallel deflectable and elongated fingers extending beyond one end of said elongated plate, electrical switch means hermetically sealed within said deflectable fingers, guard plate means extending from the tips of said fingers rearwardly beneath said elongated plate, said deflectable fingers being sandwiched between said elongated plate and said guard plate means, said guard plate means having a forward portion extending away from said fingers at an angle sufficient to permit each of said fingers to be deflected toward said forward portion of said guard plate means, said guard plate means having a rearward portion disposed parallel to said elongated plate, said switch means being closable upon the deflection of a corresponding one of said fingers, and each of said switch means being adapted to be electrically connected to a power source.

S. A signaling mitt adapted to be fastened .to a limb of a human operator comprising, an elongated plate, a plurality of parallel deflectable and elongated fingers extending beyond one end of said elongated plate, electrical switch means hermetically sealed within each of said deflectable fingers, guard plate means extending from the tips of said fingers rearwardly beneath said elongated plate, said deflectable fingers being sandwiched between said elongated plate and said guard plate means, said guard plate means having a forward portion extending away from said fingers for permitting each of said fingers to be deflected toward said forward portion of said guard plate means, separator means connected to said guard plate means partitioning said fingers from one another, and each of said switch means being operable only upon the deflection of a corresponding one of said fingers.

6. A signaling mitt adapted to be fastened to a limb of a human operator comprising an elongated plate, a plurality of parallel deflectable and elongated fingers extending beyond one end of said elongated plate, electrical switch means carried by said deflectable fingers, guard plate means extending from the tips of said fingers rearwardly beneath said elongated plate, separator means connected to said guard plate means partitioning each of said fingers from one another, said deflectable fingers being sandwiched between said elongated plate and said guard plate means, fastener means securing said guard plate means and said elongated plate together, said switch means being closable only upon the deflection of a corresponding one of said fingers, and each of said switch means being adapted to be electrically connected to a power source.

7. A signaling mitt adapted to be fastened to a limb of a human operator comprising, a base plate, a plurality of parallel defiectable and elongated fingers extending beyond one end of said plate, fastener means securing said fingers and said plate together, separator means partitioning each of said fingers from one another, electrical switch means hermetically sealed within each of said fingers, each of said switch means being selectively closable upon the deflection of a corresponding one of said fingers, each of said switch means being adapted to be electrically connected to a power source, and cable means extending the length of said plate and integrally connected to each of said fingers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,015,715 Schindler Ian. 23, 1912 1,199,710 Newton Sept. 26, 1916 1,215,389 Lauray Feb. 13, 1917 1,402,609 Hodous Jan. 3, 1922 

